Networking and collaboration

Great post by @musiccoaching that talks about the need for all artists to be involved in networking with industry executives and collaborating with other artists, writers and producers - all covered in an interview with a major label A&R exec.

It stands to reason that the more you do these things, the more chances you'll get.

I wrote the other day about a friend who is a manager in the UK who has a very hot act that everyone wants to sign - they have played a handful of gigs and have released nothing....so haven't followed our DIY plan at all!

BUT, they hang out in all the right bars, venues, record stores, music shops etc in all the right parts of town and over the last year or so the frontman (who is charismatic) has managed to get to know huge numbers of record company staff, publishers, journalists, PR people etc. He created a buzz for his band before they did anything!

As for collaborating, I'll write on the main site about some ways to find people to write and record with, but there are online resources such as Indaba, and just searching for things like 'songwriting workshop' will lead you to opportunities.

The entire business is about relationships. So, co-write, meet people who work with other people. I think collaborating is great, because then you have two teams of people who work with you. Even if you were both unsigned and doing your own thing – so, if you have Writer A doing one thing and Writer B doing his/her own thing and both networking – you never know when something is going to hit or get to the next level. It’s not necessarily all about collaborating. It’s about networking: getting out there; meeting other people; getting your music heard. The more people that hear about you, the better. And I think that comes from networking and collaborating with others.

Read the piece here, and see how important making these connections can be to your success.

1 killer networking tip for musicians

Image by Richard-G

We wrote a little piece about the need for networking offline as well as online a few months ago.

And then I had a bit of a revelation this morning because of a few gigs and events that I'd been to over the last month.

In the UK, there's a publication that will tell you where all the players in the music industry will be on any given night - there might be one for the US and other countries but I don't know it (Anyone?).

It's very London-centric, but then so is the UK mainstream music busines.

Even if you're a committed DIY musician, you can benefit from networking with people in the music business. If major label A&R men aren't your target, if you hang out in the right places, you'll run into PR people, music bloggers, journos, agents, promoters, producers and more.

It's well worth it.

Go to Record of the Day and right there in the middle of the screen is their 'Gig of the Day'.

It's a given that it'll be in London, but if it's a new band in small venue, you can be sure that it will be teeming with industry bods. Be there. Meet people.

Don't overdo it and shove CD's at everyone. Just be normal and ask questions. Don't immediately tell everyone that you're in a band. Maybe don't tell them at all. Once they've seen you around a bit, they'll ask you!

BTW, you might fancy signing up for their two week free trial as well. The daily email that you then get sent lists the gigs and a lot of their in-depth features are good too. It's paid, after that at £150 per year. Steep, but if you're a UK musician, it's probably worth it.

Another one that is well worth being at is Music Week's Breakout at the Proud Galleries, monthly. Much bigger than most of the RoD tips - 900 plus people - but, generally what is termed an 'A&R fest'!

Of course, wherever you are in the world, if you hear that a local band is attracting attention from industry players, be at that gig - blag the support slot if you can!

Another great article on networking can be found on the ever excellent We All Make Music blog.

I don't agree with it wholesale, but I do agree with it's conclusions about using networking opportunities to ask questions and learn from those in the know.

 

Self-create and then build - plus a free eBook

Image by fotologic

I really like this site - we mentioned another of his posts the other day.

In this one, he talks about taking action. Setting a goal for your band, researching it and making it happen. This is truly more achievable than ever in the modern world where everything you need to find out to make something happen is just a click away.

More accurately, they researched the who, what, when, where, and how to tour over there, came up with a plan, and executed it. They didn’t wait to be accepted as an opener, or look for showcases, or wait for some other opportunity to come along.  They just knew what they wanted to do, researched how to do it, and did it.

Read the post here and be inspired. 

And, since a lot of the post talks about making the most out of gig opportunities at conferences, I might as well point you to this post on Dave Cool's site. 

He's giving away a free eBook about how to do just that! 

This eBook is a comprehensive guide to making the most of a music conference. From pre-conference planning, showcasing and networking, to the post-conference follow-up, it offers a step-by-step look at the music conference experience and how to maximize it from a musician’s point of view.

Well worth getting it for free!

 

 

How to create great relationships for musicians

Image by reachshalabh

I'm always recommending MicControl - Jon does a great job whether he is writing or getting people to guest post on their 'MicSchool' section. Check out the site in depth!

This piece is all about how musicians need to foster relationships with a network of people in the music business - and not just to treat it as a one-way street.

Whilst the article talks about relationships with industry and musician folk, the same stuff applies to your relationships with fans.

In my dealings and conversations with successful artists, managers, labels, and other industry workers, it has become abundantly clear that increasing your chance of success can be done by embracing two very simple concepts: create great music, and develop great relationships.

Unfortunately, the second half of that equation is sometimes (mis)labeled as simply ‘who you know,’ which implies that an existing connection is required in order to succeed. Sure, having an uncle that works for a label, or having a friend from high school who is now the guitar tech for Coldplay can help, but that’s rare. Those who have succeeded have done so by working hard at developing, and maintaining, great relationships with those they work with.

Here are some tips for developing contacts with meaning:

Read the post here. It's good!

Quantum events can lead to success

This is a slightly odd one for us to pass on as it is in some ways at odds with what we usually preach - that you can develop your own success.

That is very much what I believe but this is an interesting article since I can't argue that a quantum event - or as the English would say, a 'leg up' - will clearly speed up your journey to success.

Can you seek out these kind of opportunities? Yes. Hence why we advocate widespread and judicious online and offline networking to boost your following and chances of happening across someone who can really help you promote your music and build your career.

Talk to any successful artist, producer or songwriter, and you’ll discover that each of them struggled at one level until a breakthrough happened and their career took a quantum jump ahead. Just like playing a video game, artists “level up” when a quantum event happens. Quantum events include things like meeting the right producer, getting feedback on your songs from a master songwriter, being signed to a development deal with an indie label, releasing a great single, having your homemade sex tape “accidentally” leaked on YouTube, etc. Everyone’s quantum events are different.

Read the whole piece here.

Making the right first impression when you play live

Image by Stig Nygaard

I wish that I'd written these posts that have a brilliant take on a key aspect of your music promotion.

Making the right first impresion.

The articles on Wayward Musician are written about getting this right in regard to live performances, but they apply to so many of the encounters you have in the music industry that they can benefit you in all areas where your music career crosses paths with people helping you out.

Would you go out on a first date being rude and belligerent, only to end the night by stealing plates and silverware at the restaurant?

I’m going to guess not.

Then, try not to do the equivalent when you’re playing a venue for the first time…or anytime.

Last week we talked about some easy ways to land gigs and touched upon the importance of making a good first impression.

It’s just as important in the music industry as it is anywhere else in life.

Over the next few posts I’m going to cover four different areas in which you need to nail that first impression in order to book better gigs and further your career.

Part 1 - The Promoter

Part 2 - The Sound Engineer

Part 3 - The Bartender

Part 4 - The Audience

Seth Godin and spreading ideas

Can't believe that I haven't ever linked to a Seth Godin post before!

If you don't know who he is, start with his seminal book on Tribes - how to build a following and engage with them. It's seen as a key text and applies directly to musicians - Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

This post talks about why people spread the word about you in 20 bullet points - clearly a key element of music promotion. Here's the first few:

I spread your idea because...

- it makes me feel generous...

- I feel smart alerting others to what I discovered...

- I care about the outcome and want you (the creator of the idea) to succeed.

Read them all here.

Network offline - not just online

This article made me think about how true it is that networking in the music business is absolutely crucial to your chances of success.

As a DIY musician you need every break you can get and you never know who might help you climb the slippery pole.

To effectively manage affairs for your artist, you’re going to have to master both the ability to rock Twitter and Facebook, while being the “boots on the ground” support to connect with booking agents, press, and street team leaders during the early stages of an artist’s project.

In my own experience, I find that you need to be where your scene is - at the gigs and clubs obviously. But there are other bars and coffee shops where music business people hang out. It's not all late night!

And don't just think what someone can do for you. Think about how you can help them. It's a network, not a private gang of helpers!

Read the post and the one it links to here.

Hook up with serious music industry professionals

I just got tipped off to this site - Music180.com

I don't know a great deal about it but it looks like a refreshing way of being able to get direct help and connections with serious players in the game.

As we all know, if you want to make it in music, it's not just what you know, it's who you know.

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Being good isn’t enough... you need to be great. But you can’t become great alone. You need help and artist development.

Music180 gives you direct access to hundreds of the world’s top music pros to get help, get heard and get discovered.

Now you can meet and work with the same producers, songwriters, managers and other pros who have built careers for many of your favorite artists.

Go and check it out.